Balsa USA DRI

[pmirl]

Anybody build the BUSA DRI 1/4 scale kit? I can use any advice on problem areas you might have had or in ways to change it in order to make it look more accurate.

Thanks!

Paul

[WinterHawke]

My dear pmirl . . .

I am currently completing a BUSA Triplane - obtained the kit last year at the Dayton Dawn Patrol after seeing them in action, and talking with Jim Suchy (tmoth4 over at RCUniverse). It has taken me until now to get it almost completely assembled (still a couple weeks out) and to the stage where I get to start covering up all my building errors :lol:

Items to look for - one embarrassing item I've come across is that the wing plans are assymetrical - if you measure centerline to tip on each wing, your gonna get a shock. I fixed this on mine by redrawing at least the bottom wing, which I did because the rib spacing isn't right, which of course meant new trailing edges . . . and you see why I'm still not done almost a year later!!!

Seriously, I've tried to incorporate as much scale stuff as possible, but each step has been a learning experience - almost every structure on the BUSA needs a little scale help. Some ideas (I've done all of these so far), understanding of course that I have no idea how she's gonna fly with these changes:

- Change the rudder shape to scale outline. For this I blew up my three-view until the area matched the BUSA (to keep the flying traits the same).

- Scale Hinges

- Scale Landing Gear - narrower, and taller (and yes, I fully expect it to be a handful thanks to these two "improvements").

- Add decalage to the stabilizer, per the three view (positive instead of zero degrees).

- Modify the ribs with a little undercamber.

And so forth.

My plan is to complete the construction by mid-August, complete radio and covering by end of August, and paint and fly by mid-September. Of course, we all remember that Custer had a plan!!! :blink:

I'll try to attach a photo of the beast, but I've posted a much higher res photo over on RC Universe at: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1850738/...y_fokker/tm.htm (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1850738/mpage_3/key_fokker/tm.htm)

'til later,

Lee McDuffee
the WinterHawke

[WinterHawke]

Oops, The photo :rolleyes:

[pmirl]

Thank you! This is just the info I have been looking for. As I get into it, would you mind if I picked your brain and asked you a few things as I progress?

Paul

[DJ]

Lee, looks real nice! It's hard to tell from the photos but you added the "crinkle cut" to the edge of the wing sheeting on top , right? What colors? You should give the contest circuit a wirl when finnished. The incidence change in the stab will serve you well as you won't have to keep monkying with the trim every time you change throttle settings.

[WinterHawke]

pmirl,

Please feel free to pick my brains at any time, although I do have to admit that even I wonder at times "What in the world was I thinking?!?!?!" :rolleyes:

Seriously, if I can be of any help at all, please don't hesitate to ask.

Dave,

Many thanks for the kind words - I've got quite a long way to go before I can even approach what you've accomplished with your Albatros (bye the bye - great cover photo, but I liked the photos in the British Scale magazine even better!).

To follow up more on my tripe:

No, Dave, I didn't go with the "sawtooth" leading edge sheeting, because quite frankly I couldn't convince myself that it could or even should be seen beneath the covering (the tip of the "tooth" is attached to the big box spar, enough below the surface at that point that I think the zigzag wouldn't show). I couldn't find any photos where this feature stood out on a covered machine, particularly the version I'm doing, and seeing the uncovered full-scale replica down at Dayton last year at the Dawn Patrol finally convinced me to go without this touch. We'll see what them pesky judges think! <_<

I did, FWIW, incorporate shock cords into the landing gear axle as part of a complete redesign of the subwing - time will tell if I've done it well enough to hold up, but seeing other WW1's (in particular good friend Doug Cox's BUSA/Proctor N28) with this feature convinced me to go for it - hopefully it will help tame some of the triplane's wingtip dance fondness.

I'm finishing mine as N220TP, the rebuilt triplane replica out at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. This as it appeared last summer, painted very much like Cole Palen's original rotary machine. I've accumulated almost enough photos (isn't it always almost enough) for my documentation, only lacking one good shot of the pig on the port side of the fuselage.

I do plan to compete with it once completed - my short-term goal is to try to have it done in time for September's HAWKS Four Cycle Rally in Ohio (but that calendar is a merciless taskmaster, and the days are going away fast!!!) :( , but it's first real baptism of fire will most likely be next year at the Scalemaster's down at Rough River, KY.

I'll definitely keep all informed as progress is made (I've just received the first of a bunch of finishing supplies today - some SIG Nitrate Dope !!!), and photo's as well (I've just gots to get me one of them there digital camera thingies).

'til later,

Lee McDuffee
the WinterHawke